No immediate evacuation plans from Ukraine: MEA

New Delhi: India does not have any "immediate evacuation plan" from Ukraine, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (February 17).

"No immediate evacuation plans, so we don't have any special flights. However, there were a limited number of flights under air bubble arrangements, restrictions on the number of flights and passengers removed. Indian carriers are being encouraged to operate Chartered flights between India and Ukraine," MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters during a regular briefing.

He said, "When we issue an advisory, we take on board developments that are happening as well as our assessment of how we can assist our citizens there."

The Government's and the Ministry's focus remains on "Indian citizens, Indian students, Indian nationals rather than anything larger than that," added Bagchi.

He maintained, "You would've seen developments being monitored by the Embassy. They've issued a couple of advisories. We have set up control rooms. I don't think any decision on evacuation has been taken, our Embassy continues to function normally and provide services to Indian nationals in Ukraine."

Given the prevailing situation in Ukraine, a Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to provide information and assistance. The contact details of the control room are as under

1800118797 (Toll-free) – (i) Phones: +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905

(ii) Fax: +91 11 23088124 and (iii) Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in.

Jaishankar to visit Germany, France

The MEA spokesman also said External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar would visit Germany and France from February 18 to 23rd and participate in the Munich Security Conference. 

"He will also hold bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers and other delegates who would be attending the conference," Mr Bagchi said. 

At the Munich Security Conference, Dr Jaishankar will participate in a panel discussion on Indo-Pacific and lead discussions at an 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' event hosted by our Consulate General of India in Munich & Observer Research Foundation on the sidelines of the Conference.